Government Affairs Report:

By Douglas L. WhitleyPresident and CEOIllinois StateChamber of Commerce

Here is a wrap-up of some of the major legislative items passed out of the Illinois Legislature this year.

Sales tax sourcing second notice rules filed The Department of Revenue’s Second Notice of Rulemaking was filed May 29 and is to be published in the Illinois Register. IDOR provided us with a copy of the second notice regulations, which were provided to members by email. We have also been notified that the proposed rules will be considered by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules at their June 17 meeting in Chicago. Comments regarding the proposed rules can still be submitted directly to: Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, 700 Stratton Bldg., Springfield, IL 62706. The public is not permitted to testify at the June 17 meeting.

Major legislation of interest - SB 741, Chamber supported legislation that preserves the Hospital Assessment, the transition to Medicaid managed care, and $400 million in additional federal revenue to support Illinois Medicaid’s program. It passed both chambers and is expected to be signed by the governor. - HB 397, Chamber opposed legislation to place a tax on soda and other sugar drinks was defeated in House Revenue Committee 2-7-0. - HB 3794, is a new $1 billion capital project bill for roads and bridges passed out of both chambers and is awaiting the governor’s signature. - HB 3814, Chamber opposed legislation that would place a non-binding advisory referendum on the November ballot asking voters to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour passed both chambers and the governor plans to sign the bill. - HB 3816, Chamber opposed legislation that would place a non-binding advisory referendum on the November ballot asking voters if a 3 percent income tax surcharge should be place on those making over $1 million to fund education, passed both chambers and is expected to be signed by the governor. - HB 5491, as amended by SA 1, Chamber initiative and agreed to legislation to enact state procurement reform, passed out of both chambers and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. - HB 5512, Chamber neutral legislation that changed the statute of limitations in certain civil lawsuits in regards to persons with disabilities, passed both chambers. - HB 5622, legislation that would regulate wage payment cards, passed out of Senate Executive 14-0-0. Chamber went neutral with SA 4 and passed both chambers and is expected to be signed by the governor.

IBJ Newsmakers

Regional education office debuts its new test center

GRANITE CITY — The Madison County Regional Office of Education 41 has opened what it says is one of the most advanced computer-based Pearson Vue testing centers in Southern Illinois. The center is in its newly remodeled building at 1314 Niedringhaus Ave. Exams can make a difference in people’s lives, said Jim Nickerson, administrator of the center. In today’s educational environment, computer-based exams can confirm education, support professional certifications, and ascertain job and career readiness. The center provides on-site, on-demand testing for institutions, companies, and organizations, covering a wide range of professional licensure exams, a host of certifications, and the GED Testing Service. Tests include Illinois Licensure Testing System, CompTIA, Novell, Cisco, Symantec, VMware, Inc., Juniper Networks, SAP, SAS, EMC and hundreds of others, Nickerson said. The center is set up to avoid distractions to aid in the success of people testing. Testing is completed in a controlled, noise-free environment on computers. The tests are electronically submitted and graded by Pearson Testing, a nationally certified test agency. Most results are returned to the tester immediately. People can log in to pearsonvue.com to see the list of available tests and choose the Madison County ROE 41 Testing Center as testing site to set up a scheduled exam. For more information, visit www.roe41.org or call (618) 296-4530 or go to the web page, http://roe41.org/index.php/services/testing-center